Posts by The Searcher

3

Mocked for Being a Hoary Head

by snugglebunny in

jw
friends

i tend to be quite open about my experiences within the dub religion.

i've been out for a long, long time.

i'm now in my eighth decade.

Lost and Sad, Then He Found Me...

by Sorry in

well, i got myself in a dilemma.

i'm currently 18, being baptised for a year.

i had my doubts, but due to a variety of reasons (getting subtle flack for not baptised, not having a support system even if i wanted to leave).

The Searcher

Very good advice from sincere, non-judgmental well-wishers. I hope you take it, and greatly ease whatever pain will come.

Don't burn any bridges with your parents by disassociating - just gradually fade at your own pace.

As for your "friends" in the organization, they'll very quickly burn the bridges when your fading makes you appear "spiritually weak", but your parents will always be there for you - regardless of how your romance turns out.

Take things slowly, and have a good life!

14

A sister at my door today

by careful in

i suppose it was just a matter of time till it happened.

i've faded, not been dfed or daed, for years now.

once they tracked me down and tried to reactivate me, but then i moved, and hopefully lost them.

The Searcher

@ JM - As far as I'm aware, DNC's (Do Not Calls) are listed on the back of every map of the congregation's territory. Unless that has stopped during the past 2 - 3 years.

14

A sister at my door today

by careful in

i suppose it was just a matter of time till it happened.

i've faded, not been dfed or daed, for years now.

once they tracked me down and tried to reactivate me, but then i moved, and hopefully lost them.

The Searcher

Be prepared for a follow-up call by two elders - if you revealed your past association.

She would automatically give your details to the elders if she knew you were a "lost sheep."

16

The WTBTS' "Golden Calf"

by The Searcher in

in recent months i have personally experienced 3 times how jehovah's witnesses' thinking and ad hominem attacks are being molded by their masters in the wtbts.. 1) j.w.

family members have stated that i am no longer part of the family because i say "negative things" about the org.. 2) my closest friend in my former congregation complained several weeks ago that i was "finding fault" with the org every time we had a conversation.

nothing from him since.. 3) when reverse witnessing to an elder at a trolley recently, he accused me of "criticizing the organization.".

The Searcher

All sounds reasonable, D-D.

16

The WTBTS' "Golden Calf"

by The Searcher in

in recent months i have personally experienced 3 times how jehovah's witnesses' thinking and ad hominem attacks are being molded by their masters in the wtbts.. 1) j.w.

family members have stated that i am no longer part of the family because i say "negative things" about the org.. 2) my closest friend in my former congregation complained several weeks ago that i was "finding fault" with the org every time we had a conversation.

nothing from him since.. 3) when reverse witnessing to an elder at a trolley recently, he accused me of "criticizing the organization.".

The Searcher

In recent months I have personally experienced 3 times how Jehovah's Witnesses' thinking and ad hominem attacks are being molded by their masters in the WTBTS.

1) J.W. family members have stated that I am no longer part of the family because I say "negative things" about the org.

2) My closest friend in my former congregation complained several weeks ago that I was "finding fault" with the org every time we had a conversation. Nothing from him since.

3) When reverse witnessing to an elder at a trolley recently, he accused me of "criticizing the organization."

Not one accused me of speaking against God, Jesus, or the Bible - only against their "golden calf"!

Now the hierarchy has published this statement for Witnesses to quote;

WT February 2017 par.12, p.26 - "The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction." (In other words, they're only human, but it's still God's organization!!!)

Two points in response:

1) Very honest of them to admit that they're not inspired by God and that they have been wrong with some of their so-called Bible truths. It shows they're no different from any other religious leaders.

2) On the basis of their statement, shouldn't you be even more diligent and apply the Biblical command at 1 John 4:1 - "...do not believe every inspired statement, but test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." If they're not inspired by God, who is inspiring them?

The org is sacrosanct - anything/one else is fair game. Devotion to the org is non-negotiable.

114

"The G.B. is neither inspired nor infallible"

by smiddy in

that admission in the feb.17 ,study edition of the watchtower , " who is leading gods people today ?

" "the governing body is neither inspired, nor infallible, therefore it (they/we) can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction .".

have the many jehovahs witnesses past and present who have lost their lives by refusing blood transfusions due to the prohibition on blood tranfusions by jehovahs witnesses really got the sense of this statement ?.

The Searcher

@ smiddy - good post.

We've been handed a loaded gun by the Magnificent Seven in Brooklyn/Warwick.

Let's use it whenever an opportunity arises.

114

"The G.B. is neither inspired nor infallible"

by smiddy in

that admission in the feb.17 ,study edition of the watchtower , " who is leading gods people today ?

" "the governing body is neither inspired, nor infallible, therefore it (they/we) can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction .".

have the many jehovahs witnesses past and present who have lost their lives by refusing blood transfusions due to the prohibition on blood tranfusions by jehovahs witnesses really got the sense of this statement ?.

The Searcher

@ schnell - "new scrolls." :)

Excellent opportunity for planting seeds when a J.W. uses this phrase! Strike while the iron is hot.

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/239678/new-scrolls

9

WTBTS "Anointed" Resurrection Fallacy

by The Searcher in

based on the following statements of the wtbts, the first resurrection began in 1918, is ongoing, and ceases when the living anointed are taken to heaven - just before armageddon..

(w88 10/15 p. 12 par.

13) "....according to all the evidence, those of the anointed who had already died faithful began to be resurrected to their promised place in the heavenly sanctuary starting in 1918.".

The Searcher

Based on the following statements of the WTBTS, the first resurrection began in 1918, is ongoing, and ceases when the living anointed are taken to heaven - just before Armageddon.

(w88 10/15 p. 12 par. 13) "....according to all the evidence, those of the anointed who had already died faithful began to be resurrected to their promised place in the heavenly sanctuary starting in 1918."

(w07 1/1 p. 30 par. 18) "As Christ’s presence progresses, anointed Christians who faithfully finish their earthly course are changed "in the twinkling of an eye" into powerful spirit creatures."

(w14 2/15 p. 10 par. 12) "Sometime after the destruction of Babylon the Great, Jesus will gather to himself all the remaining members of the bride class. Before the outbreak of the war of Armageddon, therefore, all members of the "bride" will be in heaven."

(The first resurrection - according to the Brooklyn hierarchy - will be completed before Armageddon commences)

Revelation 20:1-3 tells of certain events which take place before the first resurrection occurs, followed by the resurrection itself in verse 4:

1) "And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand."

2) "He seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years."

3) "And he hurled him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not mislead the nations anymore until the 1,000 years were ended. After this he must be released for a little while."

4) "And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for 1,000 years."

According to the organization, the first resurrection began in 1918 and concludes prior to Armageddon - followed by the "second" resurrection which occurs sometime after Armageddon.

According to Rev. 20:1-12, the first resurrection (the righteous) only begins after Satan is thrown into the abyss, with the second resurrection (the unrighteous) occurring at the end of the 1000 years.

The only possible way for the WTBTS to dismiss the Bible account is to claim that the apostle John got the Revelation details chronologically wrong, just as they did with Luke's account of the Lord's evening meal. (it-2 p. 130 Judas - "Luke’s presentation of this incident evidently is not in strict chronological order")

On that basis, the org's faithful worshippers will swallow it.

22

I got a voicemail from an elder about meeting with me.

by schnell in

yesterday, i missed a call and got a long voicemail from an elder who would like to meet with my wife and i some time this weekend, with another elder who dealt with my brother.

i haven't responded.

it's meeting night tonight, and my wife has already talked about staying home to do yoga with me instead.. yeah.

The Searcher

The only words needed are these - "I have private & personal issues which I will deal with, but thank you for asking."

Firewall in place - end of! They are entitled to nothing more, and they know it.